Investigators looking into the death of a 5-year-old child from Coachella have arrested his mother and maternal grandmother on suspicion of child abuse.
The case has been under investigation since Thermal Sheriff's Station deputies were dispatched to provide medical assistance on South Kenmore Street approximately 8 p.m. Sept. 8 to assist with a child who had stopped breathing, Sgt. Ben Ramirez said in a Sept. 14 news release.
"Deputies and Cal Fire medics performed life-saving measures, but the child died at the scene," Ramirez reported in the release.
During the Major Crimes Unit and Central Homicide Unit investigation, two Coachella women were identified as suspects in the child abuse that proved fatal, according to the release. The suspects are the child's mother, Vanessa Rangel, 37, and maternal grandmother, HIlaria Rangel, 55.
"Both suspects were arrested for child abuse resulting in great bodily injury and death and booked at the John Benoit Detention Center," Ramirez said, following a Sept. 13 search warrant in the 51500 block of Date Street, the release reported.
The investigation continues. According to the release, anyone with additional information should call Investigator Lopez at 760-863-8990 or Investigator Alfaro at 760-393-3528.